Choosing the right GPS Help!

[zasteeg]

I am interested in getting a GPS. I would like one that I can use in my car as well as have the ability to use on lakes. I'd like it to be able to show me directions and download info on lakes that I'd like to fish (in Minnesota, Canada, and Iowa.) . It can be older, that's no problem for me because I'd like it to be affordable. I'm pretty new to these that's why I'm asking for help. What should I be looking for that can be used for both car and boat?

Thanks,

Justin

[Jhookem]

Lowrance XOG its around $219.00- 269.00 it does trun by turn navigation speech also. You can also put in the Lake Master Pro and Navionics for lake maps. Its Easy to use also it comes with a mount to put in the car. Go to lowrance HSOforum or do a search for it.

[Sandmannd]

I just lookoed it up. Sweet little unit, plays MP3's as well.

[Tom7227]

Lowrance H2O. You can take it anyplace, and you can buy chips that give incredible detail on many lakes from either Lakemaster or Navionics. If you go to the Lakemaster HSOforum they sell a package with the GPS and the chip. If you really want to get into it Lowrance has a multi-disc set of maps that allows you to download detailed maps onto a chip and put the chip in the GPS. If you went that far you would be amazed at the level of detail. I have found it very useful on road trips out to the middle of no place and have only gotten confused for maybe 2 minutes before I found my way.

There will be long discussions about whether you should go with the color of B&W unit. I have the B&W cause of limited $$$ and I decided that the detailed maps were more important to me.

[gofishingtom]

The XOG is very nice but keep in mind that it is not waterproof so when on the boat keep that in mind if it starts to rain or your in big water..as for the h2o very nice unit but doesnt have turn by turn for highway..still can use it for the car but if you put a location it it won't take you there turn by turn it will draw a straight line to where you want to go as the crow flies and will tell you how far off course you are.. won't take you by roads..

[jwhjr]

Yep, if you're looking for turn by turn the H20 won't work for you. It is great as a portable unit though.

[The_Lee]

I dunno if your interested in a car/boat unit only or if you want one that you can use as a hand held, but I own the Garmin 60CSx, and it is the best GPS I have ever used. The antenna is very strong, and I can even get signal for it inside some buildings. A little on the spendy side though, I paid $450.00 for it last year and I have used it for military purposes and for navigation in New Orleans when I was there on leave.

[love2fish4ever]

I just purchased the Lowrance Expedition Color $300 + $100 for the 2008 lakemaster chip.(hope I made a good choice) Just getiing used to it, I can let you know how it goes, although I've never used anything else so I won't have anything to compare to. I do know so far that it uses AA batteries rather quickly, but I'll be using the 12v adapter in the boat & truck. L2f

[ice-man/vexilar-king]

Lowrance XOG Don't pay more than $219.99 that is the current Min Map$

[ice-man/vexilar-king]

Where do you get your info ?

Quote:

The XOG is very nice but keep in mind that it is not waterproof

This not true please read info dirrectly off of web sight.

XOG™ Road-Trail-Water Crossover Navigator

Bright 3.5" (8.9 cm) diagonal 16-bit color TFT touch-screen display

320H x 240V resolution

Digital media card slot for loading mapping data, MP3 files, JPEG photos and customizable skins with an SD/MMC memory card

Unique, downloadable maps with U.S. satellite and aerial imagery, enhanced USGS topographic data, and BLM mapping.

[Note from admin: Please read forum policy before posting again. Thank you.]

Straight-line navigation feature for off-road, on-foot and marine use

Turn-by-turn audio and visual navigation with auto-zooming and automatic recalculation of directions

MP3 audio player and JPEG picture viewer

Operates on internal lithium ion rechargable battery

Taking a new direction in precision, all-purpose navigation, the innovative new Lowrance XOG™ cross-navigation features ready-to-go street navigation and loads of optional outdoor maps. Rugged, weatherproof, fully portable and super-accurate with multimedia extras, the new XOG™ is the one-for-all companion for all your travels. Inside the car, on the trail, or in the boat!

[love2fish4ever]

So would you say the XOG is a better all around unit than the Expedition-C ?

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

The XOG is the right idea, but with bad execution. Screen is to small and hard to see in sunlight and the waterproofing is pretty weak.

If Lowrance gave it a bigger, better screen and made it more waterproof they wouldn't be able to keep them in stock!

I predict you will see them, or somebody else do just that in a couple of years and they will sell like crazy. Why, you could even buy your wife one for Mother's Day (and use it on your boat)

[croixflats]

I think "The Lee" has something there. After reading a lot of posts' about Lowrance problems I think Garmin would be a better choice to look at. It was mentioned on another thread Garmin has a great GPS line being that is what they primarely focus on.

[ice-man/vexilar-king]

Quote:

a better all around unit than the Expedition-

No I would still buy the Expedition over the Xog but I do 95% fishing. the Xog is one of the only cross over units that does all. Look for more to come in 09!